Madison — Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp on Tuesday defended Gov. Scott Walker's plan to turn the Natural Resources Board into an advisory panel, instead of one that makes policy, even as she acknowledged she had not been consulted on the proposal in advance.

"I feel that it's extra layers," Stepp said of the board in a briefing to the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee. "I think it's duplicative."

The idea has sparked opposition from Democrats as well as some of Walker's fellow Republicans. Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) said he had "some concerns" about the plan.(48)

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp., then so is chief executive Michael Koss, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

In a suit filed last week, the bank argues that if a jury finds Park Bank liable for the loss, then Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, the firm's former auditor, should have to pay some of the award.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," Park Bank wrote in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss in this case those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(1)

Big Michael Olmsted turns some heads

Phoenix -- There was a good deal of energy on one of the back diamonds at the Milwaukee Brewers' Maryvale complex early Wednesday afternoon, despite the cold, cloudy, drizzly conditions. »Read Full Blog Post

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I haven't been really positive about the Brewers this year because despite underperforming in the first half of the season and overachieving in the last few months, the Brewers were about as good at their final record. But that included decent stints from Greinke and Marcum.

If they have a chance of finishing .500 this season, they are going to have to have some luck with guys like Olmstead. Sounds like this one is off to a good start.

Be nice if he works out and makes the team. Thats the first time we brought in a guy off waivers or signed a guy to a minors deal where I heard his numbers last year and didn't think why? We always sign these pitchers who have a big fastball but had like a 6.70 era but ahs potential. Bringing in a guy with a under 2 era even if it wasn't AAA is still nicer to see then what we're used to. We do have a spot in our bullpen and while we should be much happier with the bullpen this year then last year, there are still some question marks. He may not make the team out of spring training unless he dominates but he may be on the team by mid may.

This guy will pitch in Milwaukee this season. Green and Gennett aren't exactly household names, but they are both left handed hitters with decent contact rates. Making them look bad, even this early on, is a good sign for a guy that has made A LOT of hitters look bad in his minor league career.

Couldn't have asked for better - I've been excited since Olmsted was signed, he really looks like a diamond in the rough pickup. If he could complement Henderson and Badenhop in the bullpen with the two lefties setting up for Axford, the Crew are going to be in good shape to finish games. It's way too early to know how things are going to pan out but I still feel this 2013 Brewers team is better than many people think.

This is a bit off the point...but I would not be at all surprised to see Lohse in a Brewers uniform this year. Why?

1. He just isn't getting offers, primarily because of the draft pick compensation. Rumors that he's about to sign seem false and generated by Boras. The Cards also seem uninterested in bringing him back at this point

2. Attanasio has said the Brewers don't view losing their #1 pick (17 overall) as a dealbreaker - he seems almost comfortable with paying that price.

3. Lohse could be had on a one-year deal, it seems (though two would be better especially with the draft-pick loss).

4. The Brewers still need a #2 starter! This could make the competition for 3/4/5 all the more spirited, and would definitely put the team into playoff contention and much improved over last year.

Lohse could be signed in June, apparently, without any draft-pick compensation. (Anyone know the affective date in June?) But at that point there'd be a lot more competition for him.

Here's an interesting piece (where I got some of my facts) from yahoo sports: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/jaime-garicas-apparent-recovery-likely-closes-door-potential-152100073--mlb.html

I find it hilarious that fans want Lohse in the rotation as the #2 starter when his numbers are very similar to our current #2, Estrada. Actually Estrada strikes out almost 3 more batters per 9 innings and has a better K/BB ratio. Lohse has pitched 200 innings once in the last four years. He's not exactly an innings eater. Estrada is probably a better #2 right now at this point of his career because he is coming off a career high of 138 innings after a jump from 92. Lohse is coming off a career high of innings with 211 up from 188 in 2011 and 92 in 2010. There is a logical drop off for him in that dept. in 2013. I'm not saying Lohse wouldn't help the Brewers. I'm saying it would probably be as a #3 or #4 guy and we would have to get at least a 2 year deal out of him. problem is that I think Peralta and Rogers have more upside as power pitchers who can stirke out better than 7 per 9 and Lohse's numbers will not look as good without a strong defensive team behind him. Milwaukee needs SPs who can miss bats because they are below average defensively at 2B and SS (probably 1B too until Hart gets back) I'd rather let Lohse go elsewhere and hope Peralta and Rogers step up.

Good comparisons, Eagleriver - i guess I see Lohse as a numbertwo because of his longer track record over the last two years. But I don't care where they slate him. I would be very comfortable with Gallardo/Estrada/Lohse/Peralta/Rogers, with Narveson and Fiers going to the pen. (Or Fiers to Nashville - Narvy is out of options.)

PS, The draft is June 6-8, so after that, the Brewers (or anyone else) could sign Lohse without the draft pick compensation. If Lohse is still unsigned then, and the Brewers are not totally in the tank but could be helped by the likes of Lohse, I could see them signing him then. Though there'd be much more competition at that point. More likely is that they sign him next month, or not at all.

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